A Gilded Cage

Author’s Note: So… yeah wasn’t going to post this yet but I want to now. I’m just setting a basic setting now, and of course getting to add my made up people in here ^_^. So here is chapter two. Enjoy!

Chapter Two: Vote of Confidence

The ministry was in a frenzy. The new elections were taking place and everyone was being kept busy. People were pulling at their hair, trying to keep calm in spite of the excessive amount of people coming in and out. Aurors were working double time, arresting people who were threatening ministry officials, and attacking each other. Things had never been this bad before. But then again it wasn’t everyday that a death eaters son was running for office.

Howlers had started pouring in the moment that Draco Malfoy had announced he was running for Minister of Magic. The title of ‘death eaters son’ had followed Draco even five years after his father’s death. He sighed softly as he sat as his desk, looking more like his father then he’d ever looked before. The exhaustion was obvious to anyone who looked. Never before had Draco felt such pressure.

The thirty-eight year old leaned back in his chair, back protesting at the movement. He’d worked at the ministry since his eighteenth birthday, starting rather high up thanks to his father’s influence. He had been amazed the man had any form of influence at all after the war, but he had indeed gotten Draco his job. They must of found it quite amusing to set him as the head of muggle affairs. His father had been livid in the safety of their cage, but openly pleased that his son was working on uniting both worlds,

“Mr. Malfoy?” a young woman asked hesitantly head barely inside the room,
“Cassandra I’ve told you to call me Draco.” he said with a sigh as she walked in. The woman had been a year younger than him in school, a Gryffindor at that. But she was very smart and Draco enjoyed her company,

“Sorry.. Draco. The minister would like the paperwork from your last meeting with the Muggle Prime Minister.” she said glancing down at her piece of parchment, “The Muggle Prime Minister has also requested another meeting with the Muggle President of America. He’d like it to be in the next couple of weeks.” she said in clipped tones, keeping it as short as possible. Draco interrupted her,

“Tell the Prime Minister, that the meeting is agreeable. I suggest that our minister attend the meeting as well. I will speak with him later.” he wrote himself a note and pushed it aside,

“If everything works out right, you won’t have to ask the minister. You’ll be the minister.” Cassandra said with a bright smile. He couldn’t help but smile as well. She had one of those personalities that just made you want to smile even if you want to scream and yell,

“We’ll see. But I don’t see it. People just aren’t ready to accept someone of my heritage.” she shook her head,

“It’ll all work out in the end Draco.” she said turning to leave before stopping short and turning,

“Oh! And there is a Mr…” she glanced down at her notes, “Potter? Here to see you.” Draco’s head shot up,
“Potter? Harry Potter?” he asked standing and pushing his hair from his face. Cassandra giggled,

“Yes I believe so. And your wife also requested you meet her and your children for lunch… in a couple hours.” she said an amused look on her face as Draco began to straighten his desk in quick succession,

“Should… I see Mr. Potter in then?” she asked and Draco nodded,

“Yes… you do that.” he said finally settling enough to sit. Cassandra bowed slightly and walked out. Draco sat nervously, why would Potter be there to see him? He began to search his mind for any reason why he would be there. Maybe to yell at him for running for Minister? He wouldn’t would he? Potter had not been involved in politics since he’d defeated Voldemort. Why would he bother being involved now? He was still thinking, withdrawn into himself even as the door opened and Harry walked in. Draco didn’t notice for a long moment only Harry clearing his throat made him look up. He jumped to his feet,

“Mr. Potter my apologies... I was thinking.” he said taking the other mans hand in a firm handshake. He took the few moments to admire the boy… no man across from him. His inky black hair was still untamed and long as it had been in their fourth year. It framed a thin face and bright green eyes that were no longer hidden behind his glasses. The tight green t-shirt only enhanced the green of his eyes, and showed the lean muscle on the mans frame. Quidditch had obviously been good for him. Harry was smiling brightly, and Draco felt a crack in the defense he had put up all those years ago,

“It’s been a while… and call me Harry. Mr. Potter is too formal.” he said and Draco nodded,

“Only if you agree to call me Draco.” Harry nodded. Draco waved his hand towards his desk where a chair was waiting for the other man to slip into. As Harry sat Draco moved towards his bottle of scotch,

“Drink?” he asked and Harry nodded. Draco poured two shifters and handed Harry one of them. Harry nodded his thanks and downed it in one go before placing it on his desk,

“So what brings you to my office Harry?” Draco asked getting straight down to business. Harry didn’t respond for a few moments as if trying to figure out what to say,

“I saw you were running for minister and I decided it was time… that you and I talked. There was so much hostility between us in school... because of your father and everything. I was being really childish then. And I was hoping we could start over?’ he asked sitting up straighter than he had been before. Draco instantly smiled,

“I would be agreeable to that. Perhaps after this all… dies down and no one is trying to kill me at every step we can get together for a drink or two.” he offered and Harry nodded,

“I was also thinking…” Harry began now fidgeting in his seat, as if he was in school again facing Severus Snape, “Well as a good faith sort of thing… maybe I could endorse you for the election?” Harry said not looking at Draco now. If he had been he would have laughed to see the normally calm man, sitting with saucer sized eyes and a slack jaw,
“I… would be honored if you would do so… you realize that people won’t be happy and will suspect I’m cursing you.” he said as soon as his mind came back online and caught up. Harry looked up smiling,

“Yeah I know. But I’m used to people thinking I’m crazy. It happened a lot when we were younger you know.” Draco smirked,

“I’m afraid I had a good deal to due with that.” Draco said standing, “but that’s in the past now… I hope.” he said turning back to Harry who nodded. Draco nodded and sat,
“then maybe now we should discuss how you would like to do this?’ he suggested and Harry nodded launching into an idea.

 A hour later Harry and Draco were still talking, finding themselves enjoy each others company more than they would have in school. They were just finalizing their plans when Cassandra walked in smiling sweetly at Harry,

“Mr. Malfoy, your wife and son…” she began but was pushed aside as ten year old Scorpius ran in smiling,

“Daddy!” Draco smiled and stood scooping the boy into his arms as he came around his desk,

“Hello Scorpius. What are you doing here?” he asked glancing up as his wife walked in sneering at Cassandra. He nearly frowned. The only good thing that came out of him marrying that vile woman was his precious son and four year old daughter that was currently clinging to her mothers hand,

“Papa!” the blonde ran towards the man, but slid to a halt as her mother grabbed her shoulder,

“We do not run, young lady.” the little girl sniffed,
“Yes Mommy.” she said walking towards Draco slowly this time. Draco frowned pulling her into his lap as well,
“Pansy…” he said to his wife as he stood, “You remember Mr. Potter.” he motioned towards Harry who stood and took her hand, even as she sneered at him,

“Of course. Potter.” she greeted even as he kissed her hand. Draco could see the fake smile on his face,

“It’s wonderful to see you again.” he said still smiling that fake smile. Pansy sneered again and turned her attention to Draco,
“Draco, darling are you coming to lunch or not?” He glanced up,
“Of course Pansy. Let me finish up with Mr. Potter…” Harry glanced at him,
“We can reschedule. Thanks for meeting with me Mr. Malfoy.” he said smirking. He nodded once more to Pansy before walking out past Cassandra who followed him, flashing a wink to Draco as she did so. Using her hand to fan herself. Draco shook his head and laughed a bit at the woman’s antics.

Draco joined his wife and children for lunch, and tried his best not to be sick. Just witnessing her acting just as his mother did, caused him to lose his appetite. And in place of that, came repressed thoughts of Potter. Seeing him after so long… he could feel that layer of ice surrounding his heart melting. A small sincere smile graced his features, and Pansy eyed her husband suspiciously.

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End Chapter two! WOOT! So… I wasn’t going to post this yet, but I got my first review and I was so excited I decided I’d post this up. So I’ll now that my first reviewer!

Black Padfoot: Thank you so much ^_^. You don’t know how excited I am to get my first reviewer after just posting the very short first chapter. I’m trying your suggestion now. Thanks again! Have a s’more ^_^!